Debrox (Carbamide Peroxide) Instructions for Earwax Removal
For adults and children over 12 years of age, use Debrox by tilting the head sideways, placing 5-10 drops into the ear, keeping the drops in for several minutes, and using twice daily for up to four days. 1
Proper Administration Technique
- Step 1: Tilt head sideways with the affected ear facing up
- Step 2: Place 5 to 10 drops into the ear (tip of applicator should not enter ear canal)
- Step 3: Keep drops in ear for several minutes by:
- Maintaining head in tilted position
- Or placing cotton in the ear to prevent drainage
- Step 4: Use twice daily for up to four days if needed, or as directed by a doctor 1
After Treatment
- Any remaining wax after treatment may be removed by gently flushing the ear with warm water using a soft rubber bulb ear syringe 1
- If the drops do not easily run into the ear canal, you may need to have the ear canal cleaned by a clinician or have a wick placed to help the drops enter the ear canal 2
- If a wick is placed, it may fall out on its own, which is a good sign indicating the inflammation is clearing and infection subsiding 2
- Do not remove the wick yourself unless instructed to do so 2
Important Precautions
- For use in the ear only 1
- Children under 12 years should only use under doctor supervision 1
- Keep the ear dry while using ear drops 2
- Do not clean the ear yourself as the ear is very tender and you could damage the ear canal or eardrum 2
- Avoid using cotton-tipped swabs for cerumen removal, as they can push wax deeper into the canal and cause trauma 3
- Ear candling is not recommended due to risk of complications and lack of efficacy 3
Tips for Effective Administration
- If possible, have someone else put the drops in the ear canal for you 2
- A gentle to-and-fro movement of the ear can help the drops reach their intended destination 2
- An alternate method is to press with an in/out movement on the small piece of cartilage (tragus) in front of the ear 2
- If you taste the eardrops, it may indicate a hole or perforation in the eardrum - inform your doctor immediately 2
When to Seek Medical Help
- If the drops become painful or you develop unexpected symptoms 2
- If wax remains impacted after treatment 3
- For patients with a history of ear surgery, ear canal stenosis, or when the tympanic membrane is not intact, irrigation is contraindicated and professional removal is recommended 3
Carbamide peroxide (Debrox) works as a cerumenolytic agent by releasing oxygen when in contact with earwax, helping to soften and break up the impacted wax. When used according to the instructions, it can be an effective first-line treatment for earwax removal, with success rates ranging from 5-22% when used alone 3, 4.